Mick & David Easterby

Ex-racehorse Rehoming Guide & Conditions

Horses are expensive to care for in a proper manner.

Before you buy a horse please ensure that you can afford to stable your horse and supply food and bedding. You should also be prepared for vet’s bills and dental costs.

If you cannot afford potentially significant bills at some stage in the horse’s life then you should ensure that your horse is insured.

Our horses are open to vetting and can be ridden at the yard.

Horses are bought as seen. Horses may be returned only for genuine and certifiable reasons. Decisions on returns will be made on an individual basis. Horses will be taken in if you are unable to provide a suitable home for them.

The new owner is responsible for veterinary treatment and third-party liability from the moment the horse leaves Mick & David Easterby Racing, irrespective of whether a Contract has yet been signed.

Before your horse arrives

Make sure that you have the correct paperwork in place. If your horse is going to be stabled with other horses you may need a negative strangles test certificate.

Prepare the area that the horse will go into prior to arrival – so if you plan to stable him, bed down the stable, and get the hay/haylage net and water ready.

If going out into the paddock, ensure the field is ready with secure fencing and water, and that any companions are in the correct place.

Knowing the routine of the horse in their previous home will help you know where best to place the horse on arrival so that they can settle as soon as possible.

Get headcollars, rugs and grooming kits ready. Make sure any equipment used previously on any other horses has been cleaned to reduce any spread of disease.

A little extra planning can go a long way with a new horse, so time spent getting organised before their arrival can pay off long-term with a healthy horse that is happy and settled in their new environment.

Moving horses to a new home, whether that be temporary or permanent, is a big change which can cause a lot of stress.

It is essential to ensure that the horse’s journey to a new home is as stress-free as possible.

On Arrival

Once your horse is at the stable it is vital that you give him a chance to explore his new surroundings in his own time. It is important that the horse knows his new surroundings in order to feel safe.

If there are other horses at the new yard, you should not introduce your horse to the group all at once. This can upset the hierarchy in the herd and cause unnecessary stress. Introduce your horse gradually to a few horses at a time over the course of a number of weeks.

The horse should not be kept in solitary confinement following the move. The ideal environment is an open paddock or pasture where he can be kept separate, but not alone.

Water composition can vary across the country and changes in water can cause problems. Sometimes horses can be fussy when it comes to differences in their drinking water. Where possible ensure that water given at the new home is as fresh as possible.

Horses get bored and toys can help take their minds off the stress of the move. Get some horse toys to keep your horse occupied.

MW Easterby & DM Easterby
Updated: 3rd September 2020